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[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Carol sent me an email asking about a telescope she was interested in. Perhaps some of you have had experience with The National Geographic 90mm Mak/Cass. I post it here for your input and sage advice:

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I am a novice but would like to buy something good quality. What do
you think about the National Geographic Maksutov-Cassegrain 90mm
telescope? I plan to look at stars etc. outside the city.

If this isn't a good telescope can you recommend something else?
Following are specs:
Type: Maksutov cassegrain
Maximum power: 400x magnification
Optimum power: 265x magnification
Focal length: 1200mm
Objective: 90mm
Finder scope: 8 x 21mm
Mount: equatorial
Tripod: closed channel aluminum
1-1/4-in. eyepieces: 9mm, 25mm
Accessories: 3x Barlow, 45-degree prism

Thank you very much.
Carol

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Carol,

Thanks for your inquiry, how did you come by finding the Chicago Astronomer?

The scope you are interested in is a good scope. At the link below, I see it for only $284.00.

www.overstock.com/cgi-bin/d2.cgi?PAGE=PROFRAME&PROD_ID=882432

A good buy. I'm seeing it at other places for $582.00, which isn't. It appears to be the same make and model....I would go for it.

It has nice features like a 45 degree prism, low and high power eyepieces, and Mak/cass telescopes are known for sharpness and overall good performance.

It is a good beginner scope and will certainly show you many objects and give years of pleasure.

I will post this query in the Chicago Astronomer Forum to solicit other astronomer opinions as well. Please do check in from time to time, and perhaps register.

Whatever your decision, please let me know. And if you are in the Chicago area, I would be happy to share an observation session with you.

Sincerely,

Joe
Chicago Astronomer

[Doug]

Carol,

This looks like a pretty good scope. I too have a Mak-Cass (a Meade 90 ETX) which has the same size aperature. I like it so far (only had it a week). Mak-Cass scopes fold the light a few times, so you get a long focal length in a compact scope. This allows you to get pretty high magnification for such a small scope. The aperature is fairly small, so it won't get a ton of light for deep sky objects the way larger scopes do. But it's very portable, so you don't ruin your back lugging it around. I'm happy with mine so far, so that's my two cents.

-Doug

PS There are also a few sites on the web where people review scopes. You may want to look around and see what other people are saying about that scope.

[sarwat]

This looks similar to Konus maks. I remember reading somewhere that the mechanics(moving parts: namely focussing mechanism) of the scope is not good and optics are average. Also, a prism diagonal and that too 45 degree is not suitable for looking at the sky.

I would recommend reading
scopereviews.com/begin.html and read his reviews of variety of equipments. Figure out whether you want automatic location of objects, what kind of objects will you look at, whether you need to transport it often or will you be primarily observing from home, how much time will you put in etc. which will help you zero in on the right telescope. Telescopes are expensive equipment, take your time to decide; doing the research is a lot of fun too.

Sarwat

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

What Sarwat says is true, but for the money, ($284.00) this would be fine. There is absolutely no point in investing twice the amount of cash to obtain a quasi professional-level scope...considering you are just starting out...unless you are dead serious about astronomy. Understand the aperature of 90mm is limited,(bigger is always better), but still ok for astronomy.

I did like the views thru Doug's scope. Images were sharp and clear. We were looking at targets easy with his 90mm. Easy to carry and quick to set up.

The 45 degree is a compromise for terrestrial and celestial observing. It's acceptable.

The Konus is not good line, but I don't think this is one. What is the return policy?

Try some research on www.cloudynights.com as well. It is devoted to reviews on a great many telescopes and other ancillary equipment. Here is a link on the konus product review on that board:

www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/1,2,3,4,5,8,9,10/Number/103689/Main/103590

Be a well informed astronomer.